Unit 1: The Geography of New York State

Essential question: Why does geography matter?

Children will:

● identify the important features of a New York State map

● understand the location of New York State in relation to other places (the world, countries, states, and bodies of water)

● identify and map New York’s physical features

● use technological resources to conduct research

● use maps with a variety of scales

Unit 2: Native Americans: First Inhabitants of New York State

Essential question: What makes a complex society?

Children will:

● define a complex society

● evaluate impact of geography of the Native American settlements

● explore how Native Americans adapted to, and modified, their environment.

● explore and learn about the natural resources that were available to Native Americans

● compare and contrast the specific roles of men, women and children in the Native American culture

● compare and contrast the Iroquois government with our own system of government

● explore the use of myths to explain the world and illustrate values of the society

● analyze primary and secondary documents

Unit 3: Colonial and Revolutionary Periods

Essential question: What motivates people to explore and colonize other lands?

Children will:

● learn the reasons for European Exploration of the Western Hemisphere, examining religion, wealth, and competition

● be introduced to the major explorers of New York (Hudson, Verrazano, and Champlain)

● continue to analyze primary and secondary sources

● study Early New Amsterdam and the Dutch West India Company

● evaluate and compare life in New Netherland before and after Peter Stuyvesant became governor

● evaluate the impact of geography and the establishment of the New York colony

● compare life in the English colonies and life today

● examine the results of the French and Indian War and its connection to the causes of the American Revolution

● study and analyze images and texts to learn about the various battles of the American Revolution

● use a variety of sources to learn about the Boston Massacre, New York Tea Party of 1774, Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts

● explore the positions of the Loyalists and Patriots

● examine the arguments against Britain in the Declaration of Independence

Unit 4: Freedom and the New Nation: Federal, State and Local Government

Essential question: What does it mean to be free?

Children will:

● examine the Articles of Confederation

● evaluate language in primary sources to infer intent of message

● examine rights and responsibilities guaranteed by the constitution

● study key vocabulary of the Constitution

● look for similarities and differences between the Federal, State, and Local governments

● look for similarities and differences between the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial Branches of Government

● investigate the steps necessary for a bill to become a law in New York State

● identify the county and town in which they live

● learn the names of elected officials

● examine the rights and freedoms guaranteed to citizens

● learn their responsibilities as a citizen

Unit 5: Making the Empire State: Immigration, Industrializations, and Westward Movement

Essential questions: Can individuals make a difference in the lives of New Yorkers? How do people, laws, and new technology shape a nation?

Children will:

● create a timeline of major events

● read a biography of a rights advocate

● examine manufacturing and industrial development in New York state and their local community

● study the inventors and entrepreneurs that helped reform technology and influence the growth of business

● analyze text and images of the Erie Canal to learn about the problems, solutions and benefits of building the canal

● evaluate how improvements and inventions in transportation and communication changed New York

● summarize and draw inferences concerning the development of finance, agriculture, industry and labor unions in New York

● study the variety of reasons why people immigrated and migrated to New York State

● learn about the industrial revolution by examining technology changes of the late 1700’s, and using primary documents to learn about child labor and workers’ rights